- Not all small dogs are big barkers.King charles cavalier spaniel image by Krista Kalbin from Fotolia.com
Small dogs have a reputation for being yappy, but not all small dog breeds are deserving of that reputation. It is unrealistic to expect dogs not to ever bark, as barking is their primary form of verbal communication. There are more than a few small-dog breeds that do not bark much. - Dogs bark for several reasons. The more time spent with a dog, the closer the owner comes to understanding the reason for each bark. A dog's barking can benefit the owner and provide release for the dog. Examples of different dog barks include: territorial, alarm, greeting, attention-seeking, frustration, social, excitement or anxiety.
Excessive dog barking is an issue and can be treated with training. Before this occurs, the owner should determine the reason for the barking. Due to neighbors, work schedules or other reasons, some people prefer a dog that barks infrequently. - The Basenji is considered the only dog breed that is "barkless." Though they do not bark in the traditional sense, the Basenji does howl, growl and make a distinctive yodeling vocalization. Per the American Kennel Club's breed standards, the lack of barking is a noted breed characteristic.
Basenjis are a small-dog breed, with full-grown adults typically growing to 15 to 17 inches and weighing 20 to 26 lb. - Other small-dog breeds with the characteristic of infrequent barking include bull terrier, French bulldog, Havanese, miniature schnauzer, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Pekingese and pugs.
Generally, it is just not in these breeds' nature to bark much, however unlike the Basenji they certainly do bark. Some, like the bull terrier, do not bark without good reason, and the miniature schnauzer howls rather than barks. Other than their small size and lack of barking, these breeds are different from each other. All breed characteristics should be considered before proceeding with dog ownership.
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